TP-Link Seeks to Secure Conditional Approval From FCC Following Router Import Ban — Company Stresses It Is No Longer Chinese-Owned
TP‑Link is petitioning the Federal Communications Commission for a conditional approval that would let it import new router models despite the FCC’s blanket ban on foreign‑made consumer routers. The company argues it is now a U.S. entity after separating from its Chinese parent between 2022 and 2024 and cites a 20% share of the U.S. retail market and strong reviewer ratings. Approval hinges on a detailed, time‑bound plan to invest in U.S. manufacturing and assembly over the next one to five years. Competitors such as Adtran and Netgear have already secured similar exemptions, but TP‑Link’s supply chain remains largely overseas.
DISH Customers Can Now Get Starlink Internet for Just $50 a Month With Unlimited Data
DISH Network is now selling Starlink satellite internet for $50 a month with unlimited data, adding professional installation for its TV subscribers. The plan promises speeds up to 400 Mbps across most of the continental United States, targeting rural and underserved...
Deutsche Telekom Adds Video Calling to Network Slicing Offer
Deutsche Telekom has expanded its 5G+ Ultra portfolio by adding a dedicated video‑calling slice, offered free to customers with compatible iPhone, iOS, and Apple Vision Pro devices. The new service builds on the operator’s earlier 5G+ Gaming slice launched 18 months...
Sentech Urges Investment in SA’s Digital Infrastructure
Sentech CEO Tebogo Leshope urged South Africa to accelerate investment in digital infrastructure, emphasizing data‑centre capacity as a catalyst for economic growth and AI adoption. The government’s Operation Vulindlela 2.0 programme now lists data‑centres alongside electricity, ports and transport as priority...
Nigerian Banks Will Now Verify Fraud-Linked Mobile Numbers Under New CBN–NCC Agreement
Nigeria’s Central Bank and the Nigerian Communications Commission signed a memorandum of understanding that gives banks real‑time access to telecom data through the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS). The system lets financial institutions verify whether a mobile number linked...
Ooredoo Ignites IoT Scale with Qatar’s First LTE-M Launch
Qatar’s Ooredoo has become the first operator in the country to launch LTE‑M (Cat‑M1), a low‑power wide‑area network built for massive IoT deployments. The rollout follows extensive testing and adds to Ooredoo’s portfolio of 4G, 5G and NB‑IoT services, with...
Arrow Electronics Reference Design Board Features Bourns, Microchip, Amphenol Technologies
Arrow Electronics has released a 10BASE‑T1S reference design board co‑developed with Microchip, Bourns and Amphenol. The platform centers on Microchip’s LAN8670 PHY, an IEC 63171‑6‑compliant Amphenol connector, and Bourns’ SM91081AL isolation transformer and common‑mode choke. It lets engineers evaluate signal integrity,...
NAB 2026: Cadena Tres Selects Eutelsat for Television Signal Distribution in Mexico
Cadena Tres, a division of Grupo Imagen, has signed a distribution agreement with satellite operator Eutelsat to carry its television signals on the EUTELSAT 117 West A satellite. The partnership places Cadena Tres in Eutelsat’s 117° West video neighbourhood, enabling content delivery to cable...
How to Achieve Reliable Communication in Emergency Scenarios
When disasters strike, traditional communication networks—cell towers, landlines and commercial broadband—often fail first, leaving responders disconnected. Recent events like Hurricane Helene, which knocked out over 3,400 cell sites, and a FirstNet outage in February 2024 illustrate the vulnerability of infrastructure‑dependent...
Seacom Takes Aim at Regional Peering Costs
Seacom has introduced PeeringReach, a new connectivity service that extends South Africa’s internet exchange point (IXP) infrastructure into smaller towns and municipalities. The offering runs over Seacom’s national fibre backbone and provides 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps layer‑2 links into the Jinx,...
Broadband Restored In Orkney Islands After Fibre Repairs
Broadband service was restored to Orkney’s North Isles after BT Group repaired a damaged subsea fibre cable. The outage, declared a major incident, began on 16 March and left Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and nearby islands without broadband and, in some cases,...
Ericsson, the Best a RAN Can Get, Still Lacks a Growth Story
Ericsson’s enterprise unit, built on the $6.2 billion Vonage purchase and the $1.1 billion Cradlepoint deal, posted a 30% year‑over‑year revenue drop to SEK 4.2 billion (≈$460 million) in Q1 2026, contributing to a cumulative operating loss of nearly $7 billion since the segment’s 2022 launch. The...
Airtel Expands 5G to Villages and Towns in Maharashtra & Goa with 3,400 New Sites
Bharti Airtel has added more than 3,400 new 5G sites across Maharashtra and Goa over the past year, extending coverage to 36 districts and over 22 million users. The expansion targets both major cities and remote districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar...
Telcos Showing Limited Aspiration for RAN Autonomy Benefits
Recent STL Partners polls reveal telcos’ aspirations for autonomous RAN are only marginally higher than the modest benefits they currently perceive. While cost‑reduction and reliability dominate both "actuality" and "aspirations" surveys, only about 11‑13% of respondents view new revenue generation...
Cisco Launches Sovereign Critical Infrastructure Across EMEA
Cisco announced the launch of its Sovereign Critical Infrastructure (SCI) portfolio for customers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The offering bundles Cisco’s networking, security, compute, collaboration, AI and Splunk solutions into configurable, air‑gapped or hybrid on‑premises environments. It...
Doodle Labs Introduces New Nano² Mesh Rider Radio
Doodle Labs has unveiled the Nano² Mesh Rider radio, delivering the full capabilities of its Mini Mesh Rider platform in a dramatically reduced form factor. The new unit tackles the longstanding size‑weight‑power (SWaP) trade‑off that has limited small UAVs, ground...
Brightspeed Reaches over 100,000 Locations with Fiber in Arkansas
Brightspeed announced that more than 101,000 homes and businesses in Arkansas now have access to its fiber network, marking the halfway point of its statewide deployment. The company aims to serve over 202,000 locations once the buildout is complete. Service...
Global Telecom Capex and Revenue Trends 2025: Omdia Highlights $1.3 Trillion Market with Slowing Investment
Omdia’s 2025 report shows global telecom revenues reaching $1.3 trillion, a 4% year‑on‑year rise, while capital expenditure slipped to $303 billion, down 2%. The industry added 3 billion 5G connections—a 34% jump—and expanded fiber broadband, yet operators are tightening overall spend to protect...
House Approves FirstNet Authority Reauthorization Bill
The U.S. House approved H.R. 7386, reauthorizing the FirstNet Authority through September 2037 and tightening oversight by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The bipartisan bill, passed by voice vote, amends the 2012 law to require NTIA pre‑approval for most FirstNet...
FCC Commissioner Trusty Explores `That Elusive Angel of the Public Interest’
At the 2026 NAB Show, FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty delivered a measured speech titled “Finding the Angel of Public Interest,” reaffirming the broadcaster‑specific public‑interest obligations that set TV stations apart from streaming services. She highlighted long‑standing duties such as localism,...
Vodafone Idea Data Vouchers with Handset Insurance
India’s third‑largest telecom, Vodafone Idea (VIL), has launched two prepaid data vouchers that bundle 10 GB of data with handset insurance worth up to ₹25,000 (≈ $300). The vouchers are priced at ₹201 (≈ $2.40) and ₹251 (≈ $3.00) and each provides 30 days of...
Starlink Struggling for Approval on South Africa, India
Elon Musk’s Starlink service is stalled in South Africa because the country’s Black Economic Empowerment law demands a 30% black ownership stake, prompting the cancellation of service for 5,000 users while approvals linger. Musk has pledged roughly 2 million Rand (about...
Hajj 2026 Wi-Fi Strategy: How Hotels Can Deliver 100+ Mbps Connectivity at Scale
Saudi Arabia’s Hajj pilgrimage is set to host up to 30 million visitors by 2030, pushing telecom providers to scale Wi‑Fi infrastructure across Mecca and Medina. During Hajj 2025, average daily mobile data use hit 1.26 GB per pilgrim, prompting the deployment...
Telecom News: Eutelsat, Cadena Tres, Fuel Crisis in Bangladesh, Spectrum Auction in Mozambique
European satellite operator Eutelsat has renewed its partnership with Mexico’s Cadena Tres, extending the broadcaster’s use of the EUTELSAT 117 West A satellite to serve more than 130 digital terrestrial sites nationwide. In Bangladesh, severe fuel shortages are threatening the...
Telecom News: MDA Space, OneWeb, Eutelsat, LG Innotek, Verizon
MDA Space secured a repeat Airbus contract to deliver more than 1,300 Ka‑band and Ku‑band antennas for OneWeb’s expanding low‑Earth‑orbit broadband constellation, now operated by Eutelsat. LG Innotek landed a $68 million deal to supply Wi‑Fi 7 automotive modules, promising three‑fold speed...
Sertex Opens Regional Office in Maine to Assist Statewide Effort
Sertex Broadband Solutions opened a 9,600‑square‑foot regional office in Sidney, Maine, positioned near I‑95 exit 113. The facility, featuring 7,200 sq ft of warehouse and office space, will act as a long‑term hub for engineering, construction and logistics on the state’s MOOSE...
D2D Progress
Ookla's latest report shows global direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connections grew 24.5% from July 2025 to March 2026, driven by Starlink Mobile's expansion into new markets such as the U.K. However, the United States and Canada saw a dip in D2D usage, which...
Fiber Frenzy
Mediacom finished 12 broadband projects in Minnesota, laying over 400 miles of last‑mile fiber and delivering FTTH service to more than 3,900 previously unserved addresses, with speeds up to 2 Gbps. GoNetspeed announced a $4.2 million expansion into Derby and Shelton, Connecticut,...
Report: Deutsche Telekom-T-Mobile Deal in Play
Deutsche Telekom, which already holds about a 53% stake in T‑Mobile US, is reportedly weighing a merger with its American subsidiary. The plan would involve creating a holding company to own both the German carrier and the U.S. uncarrier, consolidating...
Astound Joins Dish Wireless Lawsuit Frenzy
Astound Business Solutions, a unit of Astound Broadband, filed a lawsuit alleging Dish Wireless refused to pay roughly $1.7 million in termination fees after cancelling 84 installed transport services. The complaint joins a growing slate of suits from tower and infrastructure...
Company Wants FCC to Reallocate TV Spectrum for Mobile
Landover, a telecom firm with U.S. and European wireless experience, filed a petition with the FCC to reallocate the 554‑608 MHz TV band for 5G and future 6G use. The company proposes to coordinate broadcaster relinquishment, repack the remaining spectrum into...
Best Rural Internet Providers for 2026
Rural America still struggles with reliable broadband, with many households relying on DSL, satellite or fixed‑wireless services that fall short of the FCC’s 100 Mbps benchmark. CNET’s 2026 roundup identifies T‑Mobile Home Internet as the most widely available non‑satellite option, covering...
Best Fiber Internet Providers for 2026
CNET names AT&T Fiber as the top U.S. fiber internet provider, citing its consistent speeds, strong customer‑satisfaction scores, and competitive pricing. About 52 % of the U.S. population now has access to fiber, with other major players such as Verizon Fios,...
Telstra, Optus, TPG Say UOMO Devised with Unrealistic Expectations
Australia’s new Universal Mobile Service Obligation (UOMO) bill requires Telstra, Optus and TPG to deliver voice and text services across 5 million square kilometres starting December 2027. The three carriers warned parliament that satellite‑to‑mobile (STM) technology, especially for emergency calls, will not...
Ovzon Launches New Mobile Terminal in Small Form Factor
Swedish satellite operator Ovzon unveiled the T8, an ultra‑compact mobile satellite terminal measuring 7.3 × 5.1 inches and weighing 4.6 lb, the smallest in its class. Despite its size, the device delivers up to 6 Mbps uplink and 96 Mbps downlink and runs on low power....
Senators Propose Update to Communications Accessibility Law
Senators Ed Markey and Ben Ray Luján, joined by Representatives Debbie Dingell and Brian Fitzpatrick, introduced a bipartisan Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act to modernize the 2010 accessibility law. The bill expands captioning, audio description, and device activation requirements...
North Dakota Regulators Can’t Help Blumenthal on Data Center Oversight
Senator Richard Blumenthal asked state utility regulators for data‑center nondisclosure agreements, but the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) said it does not regulate such facilities and can provide only limited information. The PSC is reviewing a $110 million power project...
USDA Seeks to Cut ReConnect Rural Broadband Grant Program
The USDA’s proposed 2027 budget includes a 19% cut to discretionary spending and would eliminate the agency’s ReConnect rural broadband grant program, canceling roughly $40 million in unobligated balances. ReConnect has been a primary source of funding for construction, upgrades, and...
AST to De-Orbit Satellite After Failed Launch
AST SpaceMobile announced that its BlueBird satellite, launched on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, failed to reach a usable orbit and will be de‑orbited. The company expects the satellite’s cost to be recovered through its insurance policy. The Federal Aviation Administration...
Chile's Entel Digital Launches Micro Edge Data Center Offering Alongside Zella DC
Chilean telecom operator Entel Digital has unveiled EdgeDC, a modular edge data‑center offering developed in partnership with micro‑data‑center specialist Zella DC. The all‑in‑one solution packs power, cooling, security and monitoring into a single rack‑sized unit, enabling data‑center capabilities at remote sites,...
Ericsson Hit by North America Telecom Slowdown, Geopolitical Instability
Ericsson reported a disappointing first‑quarter, with overall sales down 10% year‑over‑year and 29% sequentially, driven by a sharp slowdown in North America and a broad currency headwind. While organic sales managed a modest 6% YoY increase, the Enterprise segment fell...
AOI Adding Manufacturing Capacity in Houston Area
Applied Optoelectronics Inc (AOI) announced a 388,000 ft² manufacturing expansion in Pearland, Texas, adding two adjacent buildings to its Houston‑area footprint. The new space will enable production of up to 700,000 800G and 1.6T transceivers per month and boost laser‑fabrication capacity...
AOI Receives New $71m Upsized Order for 800G Data-Center Transceivers
Applied Optoelectronics Inc (AOI) secured a $71 million upsized order for 800 G single‑mode data‑center transceivers from a major hyperscale customer, bringing total orders from that client to $124 million since mid‑March. The deal more than doubles AOI's backlog with the customer and...
Broadband Permitting Bill Delights Industry, Dismays Local Governments
The House is reviewing H.R. 2289, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025, which would streamline permitting for modifications to existing wireless towers by exempting certain projects from environmental and historic reviews and imposing federal shot‑clock deadlines. The bill, introduced by Rep....
Interview: Freshwave CTO Offers AI-RAN Walkthrough
Freshwave Group’s CTO Tom Bennett says AI‑enabled radio access networks are feasible, but only if the underlying data infrastructure is ready. He argues that massive GPU deployments at cell sites are unnecessary; instead, high‑capacity fibre links should funnel RAN data...
France, Poland Combine on Telco Satellite Defence Project
France’s Thales Alenia Space, Poland’s Radmor and Airbus Defence and Space have signed an agreement to build a geostationary telecommunications defence satellite for the Polish Ministry of Defence. The satellite will deliver secure, cyber‑hardened communications and anti‑jamming capabilities, enhancing Poland’s...
Rogers Communications (RCI) Expands Satellite Roaming Coverage in the U.S.
Rogers Communications announced that its Rogers Satellite and T‑Satellite constellations now provide roaming coverage across the United States, letting customers stay connected where traditional cell towers are absent. Analyst firms trimmed price targets – Canaccord to C$55.50 (≈US$41) from C$57...
Best Broadband Deals in Ireland – April 2026
Irish consumers can now compare a slate of April 2026 broadband offers through Switcher.ie, which highlights discounted contracts from eir, Vodafone, Virgin Media and Pure Telecom. The deals range from 100 Mb to 1 Gb speeds, with monthly fees as low as...
NTT Data Claims Africa-First 400Gbit/S Peering at Jinx
NTT Data has become the first network operator in Africa to activate a 400 Gbit/s peering link at the Johannesburg Internet Exchange (Jinx). The upgrade, built on 400‑gigabit Ethernet ports introduced earlier with Nokia, expands capacity, resilience and low‑latency connectivity for...
Fire-Safety Group Warns Against Relaxing Telecoms Installation Regulations
The Fire Protection Association (FPA) warned that easing telecom‑installation rules in higher‑risk buildings could heighten fire danger. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is consulting on relaxing Building Safety Act 2022 requirements for fibre‑optic and mobile‑mast work...